Long Beach crash leaves Baldwin Park man critically injured

LONG BEACH -- A 25-year-old Baldwin Park man was listed in extremely critical condition Thursday after he allegedly lost control of his car and was broadsided by another vehicle in East Long Beach.

Long Beach Police Department and Fire Department units were called to the area of Stearns Street, just east of McNab Avenue, at about 7:25 a.m. when the crash was reported, said Nancy Pratt, an LBPD spokeswoman.

The initial investigation found the 25-year-old was driving a white 1985 Mazda GSL west on Stearns and was traveling too fast for the rainy conditions when he lost control of the car and entered on-coming traffic lanes and spun out, Pratt said.

"The vehicle was then broadsided by a 2009 grey Nissan Rogue being driven by a 39-year-old woman from Long Beach," Pratt said.

Although the driver of the Mazda was wearing his seatbelt, the force of the impact was so great he was thrown out of the hatchback window of his car, she said.

Witnesses at the scene said one of the cars also briefly caught fire.

The 25-year-old man was rushed to a local hospital, where he was in extremely critical condition Thursday afternoon, Pratt said.

Long Beach Fire Department paramedics also transported the 39-year-old woman to a local hospital, though her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, said Fire Capt. Jim Arvizu.

Accident Investigations detectives were called to the scene, and shut down a large portion of the street to traffic for several hours Thursday morning.

Anyone with information about the crash is urged to call the Accident Investigations Detail, 562-570-7355. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), texting TIPLA plus your tip to CRIMES (274637) or visiting www.lacrimestoppers.org.